Switzerland's résumé is definitely impressive: The country boasts the second-highest number of patents per person — second to Japan. Its residents have won more Nobel Prizes per capita than any other country. But the key to creating the best inventions is a highly qualified workforce, and this is what distinguishes Switzerland from the rest.

A practical education

Once students in Switzerland reach the ninth grade, they can choose either to continue to upper-secondary education or to enroll in a VET program — which 70% of them do. VET is overwhelmingly popular because students study theory at school coupled with a three- to four-year apprenticeship at a company in their industry of choice. They can do anything from working on machinery to advising investors — everything a full-time employee does.

This program is an equally important investment for companies and the government as it is for the students. For starters, it helps fuel the economy, so much so that Switzerland boasts a 3.4% youth unemployment rate. To put that into perspective, as of July 2015, the youth unemployment rate in the US was a staggering 11.7%.

A diverse workforce

But not all of the country's talent is homegrown. About a quarter of the workforce is made up of non-Swiss. High quality talent flocks to the country for its high standard of living, career and research opportunities, and education system.